Fire officials: Vacant building fire under control

Firefighters battle the blaze from the ground. Source: Dennis Washington

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -

The Birmingham Fire Department says a fire at a vacant commercial building in the North Avondale area is under control.

Firefighters responded to a call of a fire in the 200 block of 47th Street North around 4 p.m. Wednesday. Around 5 p.m., the FOX6 News crew on scene reported that the roof had collapsed and firefighters were battling the blaze from the ground outside the building.

Firefighters were still on scene at 10 p.m. but felt at that time the fire was under control. Officials expected to begin sending firefighters back to their stations.

FOX6 News has learned that the building has been vacant for 18 months and may have once been the site of Channel Letter Co., which made signs.

Battalion Chief C.W. Mardis says they do not have a cause of the fire.

Talking about mental health and suicide is never easy. Since this is Suicide Prevention Month, one group that needs more attention is the African American community because of the rate of suicide among young men.

Talking about mental health and suicide is never easy. Since this is Suicide Prevention Month, one group that needs more attention is the African American community because of the rate of suicide among young men.